Staff RTOS Embedded Architect 5 (AHT)

Northrop Grumman; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 265,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Staff RTOS Embedded Architect 5 to join our Advanced Weapons team in Northridge, CA. This full-time, on-site role focuses on defining architecture for real-time embedded software on RTOS-based platforms for weapon systems.

Responsibilities include leading software architecture, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring safety, security, and performance requirements are met. A current DoW Secret clearance is required, with SAP eligibility.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with 12+ years embedded software experience; or MS with 10+ years, plus 4 extra years in lieu of degree.
• Proven software architect or technical lead for embedded systems.
• Experience with at least one major RTOS: VxWorks, ThreadX, FreeRTOS, or Green Hills INTEGRITY.
• Experience designing multi-threaded, multi-process systems with real-time constraints.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead software architectures for RTOS-based embedded devices and systems (multi-core, distributed nodes, safety-critical).
• Design, develop, code, test, and debug system software including low-level drivers and board bring-up.
• Create and maintain HAL/OSAL for embedded systems.
• Define and enforce architectural guidelines, coding standards, and design patterns across cross-functional teams.
• Participate in all phases of the SDLC in an Agile environment, including requirements verification and validation.
• Lead integration of RTOS (VxWorks) ensuring deterministic scheduling and IPC.
• Mentor embedded engineers, conduct code reviews, and provide technical guidance across disciplines.

Skills

C/C++ programming

RTOS architecture

Embedded systems

Mentoring/leadership

Education

BS in Computer/Electrical/Aerospace Eng or related

Tools

Git

Jenkins

CMake

Yocto

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman is currently looking for a Staff RTOS Embedded Architect 5 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. As an integral part of our multi-discipline engineering team in Advanced Weapons, you will be on the forefront of developing next generation solutions to protect technology for our nation’s warfighters.

This position is required to be full-time, on-site in the Northridge, CA location. No remote/telework arrangement is available for this position. Applicants must have a current US Government DoW Secret security clearance with the ability to be cleared for Special Access Program (SAP).

The RTOS Embedded Architect is responsible for defining and leading the architecture of complex real‑time embedded software running on RTOS‑based platforms for weapon systems. This role focuses on deterministic behavior, schedulability, resource optimization, and robust inter-process communication for mission‑critical systems. The architect partners and collaborates closely with project teams, external partners, and customers to ensure the software architecture meets stringent safety, security, and performance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement software architectures for RTOS‑based embedded devices and systems (multi‑core processors, distributed nodes, safety‑critical components) based on requirements
• Design, develop, code, test, and debug system software, including low-level drivers and board bring‑up.
• Create and maintain hardware‑abstraction layers (HAL) and operating‑system abstraction layers (OSAL) for embedded systems.
• Define and enforce architectural guidelines, coding standards, and design patterns across cross‑functional teams for RTOS‑based software design and integration.
• Participate in all phases of the software development lifecycle in an Agile environment, including requirements verification and validation.
• Lead integration of real‑time operating systems (VxWorks) and ensure deterministic scheduling, priority management, and inter‑process communication.
• Mentor embedded software engineers, conduct code reviews, and provide technical guidance across Hardware, Software, and Systems Engineering disciplines

Basic Qualifications

• BS or in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with 12+ years of embedded software experience; or a MS degree with 10+ years of likewise experience; and an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Proven software architect or technical lead experience for embedded systems
• Expertise with at least one major RTOS (VxWorks, ThreadX, FreeRTOS, Green Hills INTEGRITY)
• Experience in developing and troubleshooting low‑level embedded software
• Experience designing multi‑threaded, multi‑process systems with strict real‑time constraints
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming and familiarity with Java, Python, or C#
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical information to software, systems, and hardware engineering stakeholders as well as non‑technical partners.
• Current US Government DoW Secret security clearance with the ability to be cleared for Special Access Program (SAP)

Preferred Qualifications

• In‑depth understanding of weapons systems, real‑time embedded constraints, safety‑critical standards, and secure communications
• Experience with version‑control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, CMake, Make, Yocto)
• Experience with hardware abstraction layers, peripheral abstraction layers, and OS abstraction layers for portable embedded software across multiple platforms
• Hands‑on experience with pre‑emptive, multitasking RTOS environments and OSAL integration
• Expertise in embedded C++ optimization and integration with VxWorks
• Familiarity with Atlassian Suite (JIRA, Confluence, Bitbucket, SonarQube)
• Product‑owner experience and ability to translate architectural concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

Primary Level Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $265,600.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.